The Associated Press
WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. — A black bear is dead after an encounter with an ambulance near Weeki Wachee.
Hernando County Fire Rescue emergency medical technician Chris Fowler says the bear ran into the side of the ambulance Monday night as it was rushing to a call for help.
The Tampa Bay Times reports Fowler stopped the vehicle and another unit was dispatched to the call. The impact left the ambulance’s front fender ripped away and dented the side step and the patient cabin.
The 225-pound bear limped into a marshy area and died before a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist arrived.
A biologist measured the bear and took a hair sample. The bear was then buried in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area.